HARTFORD Conn. (WTNH) — A new report coming out Tuesday that will show a big gap between what families pay on their energy bills and what they can actually afford to pay.

The report is from “Operation Fuel”, which is a private nonprofit program which offers energy assistance.

The program started taking applications for the winter just last week.

Last year “Operation Fuel” provided more than $3 million dollars in energy assistance to more than 7,000 households across Connecticut.

For more information on “Operation Fuel” or to make a donation. You can head to their website at http://www.operationfuel.org. If you don’t have a computer and still want to donate, you can send them to Operation Fuel, at 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT. 06106.

]]>Wed, 23 Nov 2016 16:52:34 +0000trafficHere’s how you can be part of the Gr8 Holiday Givehttp://wtnh.com/2016/11/23/heres-how-you-can-be-part-of-the-gr8-holiday-give/
Wed, 23 Nov 2016 14:36:39 +0000http://wtnh.com/?p=360576]]>(WTNH) — It’s time for News 8’s annual Gr8 Holiday Give, a friendly competition between our news and weather personalities to raise toys to benefit Toys for Tots and the Milford Boys and Girls Club.

From now until December 16th, you can bring toys to one of 19 drop-off locations around the state, and you choose which team you’d like to support:

For all of the details on the Gr8 Holiday Give, including the standings for the competition and the complete list of drop off locations, check out the official Gr8 Holiday Give page!

]]>Wed, 23 Nov 2016 17:34:43 +0000GR8-Holiday-Give_650x180.jpgVoters are optimistic but don’t like Trump tweeting, according to new QU pollhttp://wtnh.com/2016/11/22/voters-are-optimistic-but-dont-like-trump-tweeting-according-to-new-qu-poll/
http://wtnh.com/2016/11/22/voters-are-optimistic-but-dont-like-trump-tweeting-according-to-new-qu-poll/#respondTue, 22 Nov 2016 16:51:45 +0000http://wtnh.com/?p=360117]]>HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH)– The majority of American voters think President-elect Donald Trump should shut down his personal Twitter account, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

The poll also reports that voters say 59 – 37 percent that they are “optimistic about the next four years with Donald Trump as president,” despite mixed views on his personal qualities.

President-elect Donald Trump should shut down his personal Twitter account, American voters say 59 – 35 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

While they have mixed views on his personal qualities, American voters say 59 – 37 percent that they are “optimistic about the next four years with Donald Trump as president,” the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.

Trump will be a “great” president, 17 percent of voters say; 32 percent say he will be a “good” president; 17 percent say he will be “not so good” and 26 percent say he will be “bad.”

Trump’s policies will help the nation’s economy, 52 percent of voters say; 31 percent say his policies will hurt the economy and 11 percent say they will make no difference.

His policies will help their personal financial situation, 40 percent of voters say, while 23 percent say they will hurt and 34 percent say his policies will make no difference.

Looking at Trump’s personal qualities, American voters say:

52 – 42 percent that he is not honest;

56 – 38 percent that he has good leadership skills;

51 – 45 percent that he cares about average Americans;

57 – 38 percent that he is not level-headed;

74 – 23 percent that he is a strong person;

74 – 21 percent that he is intelligent.

“Voters tell President-elect Donald Trump, ‘You’ve got the job. Now be a leader not a tweeter,'” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

“And we’re watching to make sure you put the country, not the Trump brand, first.”

Only 37 percent of American voters say Trump is a person to whom they can relate, while 61 percent say they can not relate to him.

Trump will do more to divide the country, 49 percent of voters say, while 47 percent say he will do more to unite the country.

A total of 53 percent of voters are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” that Trump would veto a bill that is good for the nation, but bad for his business interests.

45 percent that he will lower their taxes, and 48 percent that he won’t;

58 – 37 percent that he will keep the country safe from terrorism;

50 – 42 percent that he will not defeat ISIS;

74 – 19 percent that he will not get Mexico to pay for a wall along the border.

American voters have mixed feelings about Trump, as 44 percent have a favorable opinion, with 46 percent unfavorable. Vice President-elect Mike Pence does better, with a 42 – 31 percent favorability. First Lady-in-waiting Melania Trump gets a 34 – 23 percent favorability, with 37 percent who don’t know enough about her to form an opinion.

Trump will be a better president than Barack Obama, 41 percent of voters say, while 40 percent say he will be a worse president, and 11 percent say the two will be about the same.

As president, Trump will act better than he did during the campaign, 61 percent of voters say, while 25 percent say he will act the same and 11 percent say he will act worse.

Trump’s behavior since the election has made them feel better about him as president, 36 percent of voters say, while 14 percent feel worse and 50 percent have not changed their opinion.

“The consensus among voters: He won’t get Mexico to pay for the wall and he won’t take out ISIS. He’s not honest, nor is he level-headed,” Malloy said.

“But he’s got strength and leadership. His promise of more jobs and a better economy carry a lot of weight.”

From November 17 – 20, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,071 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia and the nation as a public service and for research.

60. As you may know, Donald Trump made controversial statements throughout the campaign on his personal Twitter account. As president, do you think Donald Trump should keep his personal Twitter account, or not?

63. How concerned are you that President-elect Trump would veto a law that would be good for the country because it would hurt his business interests: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned, or not concerned at all?

Here is a closer look at the demand travelers will face on Metro-North this holiday weekend.(Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority)

Wednesday, November 23, the Day Before Thanksgiving
Historically, the day before Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day of the year for Metro‐North customers. On Wednesday, November 23, there will be 18 early getaway trains that depart Grand Central Terminal during the mid‐day. The extra service includes ten extra trains on the New Haven Line between 12:58 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Times are shown in the current timetables. Due to the heavier mid‐day travel patterns, some evening trains may be canceled or combined, so be sure to check the timetable.

Thanksgiving Day, November 24
Metro‐North will provide additional inbound morning service for customers heading to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off at 9:00 a.m. at 81st Street and Central Park West and ends in front of Macy’s at Herald Square (34th Street). There is also expanded outbound service starting in the late morning and continuing through mid‐afternoon.

If you’re leaving New York after the parade, customers must show a ticket before boarding trains at Grand Central or Harlem‐125th Street Station. On this day last year, about 30,000 customers departed Grand Central between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Finally, there will be extra trains in the evening for customers returning to New York City after their Thanksgiving feasts.

Friday, November 25, the Day After Thanksgiving
On Friday, November 25, Metro‐North will operate on a Saturday schedule with additional inbound service in the morning and outbound service in the afternoon to accommodate the Friday workforce and Black Friday shoppers.

Saturday and Sunday (Thanksgiving Weekend)
Metro‐North will round out the holiday weekend schedule with extra trains and additional cars on existing trains. Service on Saturday, November 26 features upper Hudson and outer New Haven Line Shoppers’ Special service. Regular half‐hour service to/from Stamford on the New Haven Line and to/from North White Plains on the Harlem Line will operate all day.

On Sunday, November 27, trains run on a normal half‐hourly schedule featuring outer New Haven Line Shoppers’ Specials.

Additional information on Metro-North trains can be found on the MTA website.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn (WTNH) — A Middletown mother who lost her infant back in 2015 after his father allegedly threw him from a bridge has now suffered another tragedy. On Wednesday night, a kitchen fire destroyed nearly everything in her home.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew put out a request to the community to help Adrianne Oyola get back on her feet. The community heard the call.

“I came here because my son went to school with Adrianne,” said Stacy Lana of Middletown. She walked in with a bag of items to donate.

The calls and donations came into the mayor’s office all day. There were piles of bags filled with clothes, shoes, blankets, bedding and home items.

“They’ve been through so much in the last year and half,” said Mayor Dan Drew of Middletown. “It’s something that no family should have to go through.

Drew praised the community for reaching out so quickly and generously.

“It’s a lot to deal with so anything we can do to come together and help her, we are going to do,” said Drew.

Many people who called had the same question. What does Adrianne and her mother, who lives with her, need?

Right now, they could use:

Women’s pants size 14

Women’s medium or large shirts

Linens

Household Items

Toiletries

Nonperishable food

Gift Cards

The mayor says the women are set with furniture.

The donations were dropped off Friday with the hope that it brings some comfort to a young woman who has been through so much.

“I just hope they can get through this like last year and they are in my prayers,” said Lana

Donations can be brought to the Middletown Mayor’s Office at 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, CT.

WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Food Bank needs about 1,000 more turkeys to make get all their requests filled before the holiday next week.

One of the food pantries that relies on them is the Walk of Faith Food Pantry in New Haven.

“I see young old and everybody in between,” said Roosevelt Parsons. “It satisfy me to be able to do something for somebody else.”

CEO Of the Connecticut Food Bank Bernie Beaudrau knows first hand how hard it can be for families.

“I was one of eight kids growing up and sometimes food was hard,” said Beaudreau.

He says 475,000 people in the state are food insecure and 1 in 6 children don’t always know when they’re getting their next meal.

“Sometimes they go hungry. Sometimes they skip meals,” said Beaudreau. “Thanksgiving is a time where everyone has enough to eat and not just enough, but a turkey and all the fixings.”

They’ve got to get to 20,000 to meet the need in the state. Right now, they’re about 1,000 birds short. That’s why their hosting three food drives this weekend.

News 8 is sponsoring a Food Drive this weekend to help the Connecticut Food Bank. Many of our news staff will be at the Shoprite in East Haven from 10AM until 1PM this Saturday. For more information, click here.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Dozens of New Haven trees have had to come down in the past few months due to an insect infestation. Wednesday, however, there was some replanting going on.

As of about 8 o’clock this morning, there was something growing on Artizan Street once again. The entire block had gone months as a barren landscape.

“We are planting cherry trees and tree lilac trees along this street,” explained Katie Beechem of the Urban Resources Initiative. “Both are gorgeous, summer flowering trees that are going to add a nice color.”

The color green all but disappeared from this street last July. Notices went up telling residents almost every tree had to come down. They were all ash trees, and they had been infected by an invasive asian insect called the emerald ash borer.

“The little baby bug, the larvae, they get inside the bark and eat that live part of the bark that connects the roots of the tree to the leaves of the tree, so it effectively strangles the tree,” Beechem explained.

That’s why, in August, the chainsaws came, removing every ash tree on the block. It is a common problem in northeast cities, because there are so many ash trees around. When the ash borer comes to town, however, it doubles the number of trees in infects every year.

“Chances are, if you’re starting to notice problems with the tree, if the crown’s dying back, for instance, less than half the tree has leaves, chances are it’s a problem involving the emerald ash borer,” said Beechem.

If you catch the infestation early enough, there are chemical treatments, but you have to keep applying the chemicals. In New Haven, crews had to replace them. Fortunately, the city works with a group out of Yale called the Urban Resources Initiative, and EMERGE, a group that hires folks who have recently been incarcerated. Together they are bringing life back to Artizan Street.

If you suspect Emerald Ash Borer, contact Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at-203-974-8600. You can also find resources on the Emerald Ash Borer at URI headquarters at 301 Prospect Street, First Floor, New Haven, CT 06511.

(WTNH) — Hatchimals – it’s the break out toy of the season, literally. Spinmaster makes the interactive birdlike toy that busts out of its egg and that “ages” as kids take care of it from an infant, to a toddler, to a little bird-like kid.

Hatchimals are flying off the shelves. At big box stores like Target, Walmart and Toys “R” Us, the toy retails for just under $50. But, a check online shows the same message – out of stock.

On Amazon, the toy ranges from $190 to as high as $350. On Ebay, one seller offered a single Hatchimal for $600.

In our search today, we came up with only one store in this general area with a few Hatchimals. Hobbytown in Fairfield had about two dozen Hatchimals. Today there were only a few left in the store.

“The parents are having a rough time trying to find them,” said Celeste Vanderlip, the owner of Hobbytown. “Their child really wants that Hatchimal, it’s the gift at the top of their list that they’re looking for.”

To snatch up a Hatchimal at Hobbytown, it costs $149.

The owner tells us their price tag reflects the premium they had to pay to find the Hatchimals. More than one small toy store told us that the only the big box stores were getting shipments.

“So we got them at a price to be able to sell to our customers so that they don’t have to go on eBay going on the Internet there here it’s that hot gift. We wanted to service our customers.”

One parent came in looking for two Hatchimals. He was glad his search could end at Hobbytown.

“Oh my God, yeah, I just called,” said Stephen Rilling of Trumbull. “They said they had them and get over here quick.”

Here are some tips to make your search for Hatchimals easier.

One viewer said to track Target shipments she used the website called Fyndly.
About half way down the page there is a spot to put DPCI codes in for the different Hatchimals.

Here are some of the codes you can use. Just put in the numbers.

Penguala Pink/Teal 086-08-0395

Penguala Pink/Red 086-08-0897

Draggle Blue/Purple 086-08-0396

Draggle Blue/Green 086-08-0898

Bearakeet Pink/Black 086-08-0899

Next, add your zip and how far you’re willing to drive. Hit check and you’ll get an idea of who has Hatchimals in stock. You may want to call in order to double check if the store has Hatchimals.

Toys “R” Us tells us, they are getting more shipments of Hatchimals so check their website early in the morning. When Hatchimals are in stock, the company recommends going to the store first thing in the morning. The toy sells out fast.

One Target manager told News 8 that Hatchimals are so hot that parents are lining up outside the store for shipments.

The craze is so big that even Spinmaster, the company that makes Hatchimals says it didn’t expect this kind of popularity. On the website Spinmaster has a message for customers.

A Message From Hatchimals

The consumer response to Hatchimals has been extraordinary, exceeding all expectations. Some of our first shipments have already sold out. While additional product will hit retail shelves in November, we anticipate this inventory will also sell out quickly. We have increased production and a whole new batch of Hatchimals will be ready to hatch in early 2017. This is a special season and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed, nor do we support inflated prices from non-authorized resellers. We are working on creative solutions to help kids and their parents withstand the wait. In the interim, some retailers are developing pre-sale and/or rain-check programs for redemption in January. We will continue to update with program details as they become available.”

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Weight Watchers Smart Ones Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae frozen desserts have been voluntarily recalled. The FDA says the supplier of the cookie dough pieces reported positive results for Listeria monocytogenes.

The following product is included in this recall:Smart Ones Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae, 4 pack, UPC 25800023295, with Best if Used by dates of 12/28/2016 through 7/28/2017.

Photo provided by the FDA

Approximately 100,000 cases of these frozen desserts are being recalled. No other Weight Watchers Smart Ones are impacted.

No complaints or illnesses have been reported.

If you purchased this product, you should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers can also contact 1-866-572-3805. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, for a full refund.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the alarms with the model number KN-COSM-IB and manufacture dates between June 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010 are involved in the recall.

The issue is that once the alarm reaches its seven year end of life, it may not chirp, even if the batteries have been replaced, leading homeowners to think it is still working. This may not alert consumers if there is a fire or CO in the home.

Kidde has received eight reported incidents with the recalled alarms, none of which resulted in injuries.

If you have this alarm, you should stop using it immediately and contact Kidde for a free replacement or a discount on a new alarm. To contact Kidde, call 855-239-0490 or visit the website.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (WTNH) — It’s Veterans Day, and News 8 is proud to once again be a part of Vets Rock, a day dedicated to Veterans and their families with lots of activities and resources, plus a huge rock concert as well.

On Veterans Day, it’s important to thank veterans for all they’ve done, but it’s even more important to remember that many, far too many, end up without jobs, and even without homes.

The group Til Duty is Done is doing something about that, and Vets Rock is its big event. It started last year, and around 1,500 veterans came to Mohegan Sun for the event. The big draw is the concert tonight, but during the day Friday, there are workshops that help with your resume, and your job interviewing skills.

In addition to job interview resources, you can also get yourself a nice, professional suit to wear for that interview, and right in the same room is a job fair looking to hire veterans and their family members.

Veterans have already proven themselves to dedicated, smart, hard working employees by their service in the military. The founder of Til Duty is Done, Justin Nash, says employers know that, that’s why they will be here today.

About a hundred companies that are in this geographical region that have active open employment positions that they’re actively looking to hire veterans. Right now, right here in the State of Connecticut, Massachusetts and the surrounding areas. So just come. If you’r looking for a job, if you’re a veteran by all means just get here and we’ll take care of the rest.”

A lot of people took advantage of that last year. There’s something new for this year, and you don’t have to be a vet to experience it.

The Wall that Heals is set up in the Winter parking garage. It is a one half scale model of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

A couple weeks ago it was in West Haven. I saw it. It is very moving, whether you’re a veteran, whether you know one of the names on the wall, it is just a powerful reminder of the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many who served.

The wall is set up so you can see it any time, day or night. It will be here until Sunday afternoon.

Tonight’s concert features Dropkick Murphys, Godsmack and Madison Rising, and the whole thing is emceed by the legendary Tony Orlando. Tickets are $30 each, and that starts at 7:30.

Just before 9:00 a.m., Kent checked in with an update on everything getting set up and underway.

(WTNH) — Inside Middletown‘s Fire Department on Cross Street, is the 911 emergency call center which connects the 911 center with police and fire departments, except for the times when the signal doesn’t reach their radios.

“Some of the areas, particularly, the low-lying areas are not receiving as good of coverage as they used to,” said Daniel Drew, the Mayor of Middletown. So, we need to upgrade our system to keep up with regular standards and to make sure that when we dispatch police or fire, that our dispatch center can hear them and that they can hear one another everywhere throughout the city.”

Authorities say when the FCC mandated a conversion from analog to digital some of the coverage became spotty in Middletown.

“We need a radio upgrade,” said Drew.

On Election Day, Middletown voters will decide whether to approve a $12-million bond to upgrade the city’s radio communications.

Cheshire is also looking to upgrade their town/education public safety radio system. Voters will be asked to approve a $#-million bond for that.
They’ll be asked whether they approve of another $6.5 in bonds for things like replacing a fire truck, repaving roads and making improvements to local schools.

In Ansonia, along with several other ballot issues, voters will be asked if they approve of the city issuing $12-million for the planning and construction of a new police department.

Knowing your city or town’s ballot initiatives ahead of time may help save time when you’re in the voting booth.

Rich Pugliese of Middletown approves of the Middletown ballot measure his city put to the voters.

“Anything we can do to improve public safety in a community is worth it,” said Pugliese.

To learn more about the ballot questions that Connecticut voters are considering click this link. A sample ballot for each of Connecticut’s towns and cities is available. Not every city and town has ballot questions to consider.